Nine Samburu County officers in graft case freed on Ksh.10M cash bail

Nine Samburu County officials linked to corruption have been released on a Ksh.10million cash bail each.

The suspects are implicated in the irregular supply of fuel to the Samburu County Government through Governor Moses Lenolkulal’s company, Oryx Service Station to the tune of Ksh.84.7million.

The accused who were before Chief Magistrate Lawrence Mugambi on Friday had earlier pleaded not guilty to charges levelled against them.

Further, Magistrate Mugambi directed that the file be taken to the Chief Magistrate Teresiah Murugi who he indicated will deal with all the applications and trial in this case.

The defence through Lawyer Paul Nyamondi had pleaded with the court to set them free as they are not able to raise the Ksh.10million cash bail.

However, the Prosecution through Alexander Muteti however told the court that stringent conditions should be issued to the accused given the magnitude of the matter.

The Prosecution had asked the court to bar the accused officials who are signatories to bank accounts for Samburu County from transacting for and on behalf of the county.

In their argument, Prosecution further asked court to ensure that in the event that they seek to deposit sureties, then a search be undertaken by EACC given that the accused were under financial investigations and all the proceeds that may have been accrued are targeted.

Prosecution also asked court to compel them to declare the source of their cash.

The Defence however argued that the accused persons are innocent until proven guilty and are entitled to have money.

“It’s unreasonable to ask them when depositing money they should declare the source of their money….it’s not in the law,” argued Nyamodi.

Nyamodi noted that while money laundering is an offence, none of the accused persons has been linked to the charge.

Editor’s Note: An earlier version of this story had indicated that Deputy Governor Julius Leseeto was among the county officers who were released on Ksh.10million cash bail. Citizen Digital has since established that the charge sheet was amended